J001657 (IJA) FIVE PIECE RANK INSIGNIA GROUPING. A grouping of five Imperial Japanese Army rank insignia, comprised of two of the "Type 5" pattern, one "Type 98," and two of the "Type 3" pattern. The "Type 5" (5th year of the Showa era, or, 1930) rank insignia were worn on the shoulders of the uniform, as that model’s stand-up collar featured the arm of service colors and regimental numerals. Each of these are of padded, red wool, 3 3/8" long and 1" wide, with a 1/4" wide, central, gold-colored stripe running along their lengths. These stripes, which distinguished the wearer as being a Leading Private, have dulled significantly with age, and one is beginning to become un-stitched. To their reverses are sewn cotton bases, one in a tan color, the other grey, both of which have short, buttonholed straps extending from either edge, which fold over and mate with a brass dish button sewn to their centers. Each of their red wool obverses exhibit moderate nap wear and light age soiling. This type of insignia was discontinued with the introduction of the "Type 98" uniform, which lacked the cloth loops sewn to the shoulders that these would have been buttoned to, instead having a lay-down collar unto which new pattern rank tabs were applied. The single, "Type 98" (Japanese calendar year 2598, or, 1938) insignia which follows is in the form of a 1 1/2" x 3/4", red wool tab, unto which has been sewn two, five-pointed yellow stars, distinguishing the wearer as a First Class Private. Although this would normally be one of a pair, sewn to either side of the uniform collar, to its reverse has been sewn reinforcing blue canvas, unto which a horizontal pin-back device has been applied, allowing it to be worn on or above a uniform pocket. Oxidization stains may be seen to its reverse, and its obverse is moderately nap worn and age soiled, and has sections missing along its edges. The "Type 3" (Japanese calendar year 2603, or, 1942) insignia which complete the grouping differ from their "Type 98" antecedents in that these 1 1/2" x 11/16", machine woven red rayon tabs are applied to slightly larger, olive drab wool bases. To each of them have been machine woven three, five-pointed yellow stars, which distinguished the wearer as a Superior Private. These were apparently unissued, as they exhibit only very light age soiling, and equally light nap wear to their wool bases.

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